interesting post about music and dementia

 

Classical music can help slow down the onset of dementia say researchers after discovering Mozart excerpts enhanced gene activity in patients

• Research saw patients listen to Mozart's violin concert No 3 for 20 minutes
• The 'musically-experienced' people had enhanced gene activity, it found 
• Music also affected risk gene synuclein-alpha, connected to Parkinson's

Classical music can help slow down the onset of dementia, new research has found.

Scientists discovered that patients who listened to experts of Mozart had enhanced gene activity in the 

brain in areas including memory and learning.

Meanwhile, the music also affected the activity of a risk gene connected to Parkinson's disease.

The Finnish researchers found the changed activity was only present in 'musically-experienced' patients, who listened to music regularly, suggesting the importance of familiarity with music.

For the study, participants were asked to listen to Mozart's violin concert No 3, G-major, K.216, a piece that lasts 20 minutes. The experiment was carried out on both musically experienced and inexperienced participants.

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The research involved participants listening to Mozart (pictured) for 20 minutes

The study showed that genes were enhanced in those deemed 'musically experienced' in areas such as dopamine secretion, which is when a neurohormone is released in the brain, synaptic neurotransmission, which is how neurons receive information, and learning and memory.

Meanwhile, the music appeared to down-regulate genes associated with neuro-degeneration, which is the progressive loss of the structure or function of neurons.

The researchers said several of the up-regulated genes were ones which are responsible for song learning and singing in songbirds.

This suggests a common evolutionary background of sound perception across different species, they said.

One of the most affected genes in this area was synuclein-alpha (SNCA), which is also a known risk gene for Parkinson's disease. 

Study leader Doctor Irma Jarvela, of Helsinki University, said: 'The up-regulation of several genes that are known to be responsible for song learning and singing in songbirds suggest a shared evolutionary background of sound perception between vocalizing birds and humans.'

He added: 'The effect was only detectable in musically experienced participants, suggesting the importance of familiarity and experience in mediating music-induced effects.'

Dr Jarvela added that the findingscould give give further insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying music therapy.

The effects of this are still largely unknown.

Music and Dementia

Music has always been used as a way of relaxing or enjoying ourselves, as it can have an active effect on our brains.

When I was studying at college our lecturer always said try listening to music in the background, as it helps us relax and also allows us to to in more information.

I confess that in my teenage years, I was getting into classical music, and thought Mozart was very relaxing, but my father who was a Church Warden as well as being a miner thought I was a little odd, listening to this sort of music. However, after a few years, it grew in him and he too found classical music relaxing.

Since my brain went haywire with Dementia I have found certain types of music can have the wrong effect, especially if it is going fast, I think it is called fast tempo, or something like that.

This is because fast music does things to my brain, especially if I cannot sleep and then I listen to my IPod touch, which is loaded with all types of music, some relaxing and some lively.

I found that some music that I enjoy during the day has the wrong effect during the night, and can make the brain overactive and cause nightmares etc.

However, I do feel that music can have a very relaxing impact on those with any firm of Neurological illness as it's quite calming and lets you relax providing it's the right sort of music



Many years ago I was in Church Choir for a few years, but now I can't sing at all although I enjoy listening to choirs singing